How to get the most out of your home inspection

As a Maryland home Inspector I feel my job is to inform, educate and “discover” the house for my clients. In order to assist your inspector in this endeavor and get the most out of the inspection here are some helpful tips of what you should consider.

• Do come prepared to spend some time at the inspection. A typical inspection takes anywhere from two hours to four hours depending on how challenging the house is to inspect.
• Do pre-make a list of questions regarding any concerns you may have or maintenance information you require. Save the list for the end of the inspection. Chances are good that your inspector may cover these things during the course of the inspection but, if not, you will be prepared to have them answered. After all, the inspection process is designed in part to prepare you to become the owner of the house.
• Do follow the inspector around, look at what he or she is looking at, and bring a flashlight if you want.
• Do not put yourself in harm’s way. You need not go on a roof, wiggle into a crawl space, poke into an open electrical panel box or hop through an attic full of insulation. Your inspector is getting paid to do these things.
• Do bring a camera, if you want. A quick picture here and there of things you want to remember is a much better way than jotting down notes that you may misplace anyway.
• Do not bring friends or family members along to show them the house as they may interfere with your ability to discover the house with the inspector. Better yet invite them to your moving or house warming party.
• Do bring along a knowledgeable friend or family member and ask them to assist in the inspection by staying with the inspector and asking pertinent questions. Anyone that strays away from the inspection party and gets ahead of the inspector may succeed in distracting the inspector from following his or her systematic procedures.
• Do not plan on measuring for curtains or planning decorations. Arrange to do this after the inspection or at another time.
• Do contact the inspector with any questions you have after you receive the report. Zink Home Consultants relishes the concept of being there for the client not only during the inspection process but as long as the client owns the house.

Remember, it’s your inspection — Do make the most of it!

Zink Home Consultants is a Maryland-based home inspection company that serves the Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. metro areas.